Italy has found itself at the center of a large-scale hacking scandal that is quickly gaining international attention. It has been revealed that not only Italian companies are involved in this case, but also representatives from Israel, the Vatican, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania. Details from police phone wiretaps point to the fact that some foreign countries used the services of an Italian private intelligence firm to gain access to confidential information.
What the wiretaps revealed: Israeli agents and the Vatican involved in hacking scheme
The scandal started with an investigation into the activities of the Italian intelligence company Equalize, which is accused of collecting data on politicians, businessmen, and public figures. According to police reports, representatives of this firm even met with Israeli agents in Milan to discuss cyber operations against Russian targets. The operation, estimated to cost millions of euros, involved gathering information on financial transactions linked to the private military contractor group “Wagner”.
Connection to the Vatican and Israeli intelligence
The documents that were made public do not fully explain why the Vatican and Israeli services were interested in collaborating with Equalize. However, their involvement in the case significantly expanded the scope of the Italian investigation. The connection to the Vatican and Israel highlights the scale of the issue and draws attention to how private intelligence firms can be used for espionage purposes on an international level.
Information exchange: Israeli offers and the Katargate scandal
Israeli representatives offered to collaborate with Equalize, giving the firm access to documents related to the Katargate scandal, which involved suspicions of bribery in the European Parliament. Additionally, they provided information that could assist the Italian energy company Eni in investigating illegal trading of Iranian gas.
Politicians’ reaction: call to action
The scandal did not go unnoticed among Italian politicians. Senator Ivan Scalforotto from the party “Italia Viva” called the involvement of foreign agents in the scheme a “troubling dimension” of the problem. Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, announced the creation of a special group to protect the ministry and Italian embassies abroad.
Hacker network and international connections
The main suspect in the case, Nunzio Samuele Calamucchi, known for his connections with the hacker collective Anonymous, has a hacker network operating not only in Italy but also in the UK and Lithuania. The company used servers in the USA and Lithuania, considering itself less vulnerable to investigation.
Court hearings and expected next steps
Four suspects in the case under house arrest refused to comment on the matter during the hearing in Milan. Lawyers for some of the defendants emphasize that their clients are willing to cooperate with law enforcement once they receive all necessary documents related to the case.
